What do people use in their CPAP humidifiers in the UK?

I am living in London for 4 months and am having problems getting water for my CPAP.
At first, having been unable to find distilled water in the water sections of grocery stores, I used regular bottled water for a couple of nights--but I could see the mineral deposits in the humidifier the next morning.
I have done some research, and it seems that the only distilled water you can get in the UK is ironing water or water sold at car-parts stores for use in engines. There isn't a car-parts store anywhere near where I live, so I'm thinking of using ironing water.
The problem with the ironing water is that I can only find scented ones, such as "Comfort Vaporesse"--and the bottle says it contains perfume, benzyl alcohol, methylchloroisothiazolinone, and methylisothiazolinone. Is it ok to use this, or will it cause health problems?
I can't go without my humidifier very long, but it seems I may not have another choice.

I got distilled water from the chemist's (pharmacy) counter at Tesco supermarket. De-ionised water for car batteries is the WRONG kind.

Tap water boiled in the kettle will do you fine,

No need for fancy water my friend.

Regards,

Thanks for the tips!
I have been told, though, that boiling water will not get rid of the minerals. Does anyone know whether or not this is true?

It will not. Filtering it would. I would check at the local drug stores. you should be able to find it there, also remember to ask the store workers, they should know where they have it if they carry it in the store

The sleep centres here in the UK tell you that tap water boiled in the kettle will be fine ,ive done this myself for the last 3yrs and im fine and dandy ,

You could find a local aquatics shop they sell pure water by the gallon load it would work out cheaper then buying from shops.

If you want distilled water try BOOTS the chemist they sell it in larger quantities than a supermarket .

Good luck anyway.

Strange you can't find it. Here in Canada we can get it at most supermarkets and all chemists (pharmacy).

I know Dentists use it in their tool sterilizers so they dont get mineral deposits. Do you have any friends or family who are dentists - they might give you bottles out of their distiller since it doesnt cost them anything.

I found a few UK websites that will deliver to your door - but for the price they are charging I would buy tabletop unit to distill your own water.

Here is a link to home water distillers in the UK
http://www.energiseforlife.com/cat--Wat ... LLERS.html

Britishbulldog wrote:The sleep centres here in the UK tell you that tap water boiled in the kettle will be fine ,ive done this myself for the last 3yrs and im fine and dandy ,

You could find a local aquatics shop they sell pure water by the gallon load it would work out cheaper then buying from shops.

If you want distilled water try BOOTS the chemist they sell it in larger quantities than a supermarket .

Good luck anyway.

Do you have mineral scale in your humidifier tank that you clean out regularly?

Wow that link is gonna be mighty costly if you decide that way ,

Why not buy a brita filtered water jug £9.99 a whole lot cheaper !!!!

Depends if you live in a hard water area of the UK ,
I clean the tank every 6wks with white vinegar comes up shining .

Boiling the water in a kettle actually increases the mineral concentration in the water. The steam leaving the kettle is pure water vapor, leaving 100% of the minerals behind. Since the resulting water contains less water (some left via the steam) and all of the minerals, the mineral concentration in the resulting water is higher than the concentration in the water put into the kettle.

If I couldn't find distilled water at a reasonable price, I would go for my choice number two: reverse osmosis (RO) water, myself.

HUMOUR ALERT!

Personally, I think I'd go for Laphroaig, but then, I like that peaty aroma.
http://www.laphroaig.com

Hey, it is the Water of Life!

I find it really ODD that you can't buy distilled water in the UK. Does anyone know why that is?

Cheers,
B.

Babette wrote:I find it really ODD that you can't buy distilled water in the UK. Does anyone know why that is?

Cheers,
B.

You can, you just have to get it in different places than what you would in the States. A friend of mine who lives in London suggested Boots as well.

David

Babette wrote: ........

I find it really ODD that you can't buy distilled water in the UK. Does anyone know why that is?

Cheers,
B.

Prior to 1969, distilled water of high quality at low prices was widely available.

In 1969, UK's Affordable Distilled Water Choices Act of 1969 was enacted into law. By 1972, all but one small water distiller was out of business and the market has never recovered.